Robber Barons or Industrial Statesmen?

Subject  > History Term Papers  > North American History

Late nineteenth century industrial leaders have been called "industrial statesmen" for the great economic power they helped America become. They have also been called "robber barons" because they built their great wealth by abusing the system, abusing their employees, and destroying their competitors to satisfy their own needs. These "kings" off industry displayed characteristics of both industrial statesmen and robber barons. It is therefore justified to characterize the industrial leaders of the nineteenth century as both industrial statesmen and robber barons.          Because they used vicious tactics to destroy competition and created monopolies, the industrial leaders of the late nineteenth century are sometimes called robber barons. Enforcing harsh rules, ordering long work hours, and harsh treatment ...

... Carnegie was a philanthropist because he sent money to benefit libraries, the arts, and the colleges. But he is also looked back on as a robber baron. His workers' wages were too small and their hours were way too long. He should have been more ethical and he should have acted more generous to his workers in the factories than to just the common person. He should have also raised their wages and cut their hours, or given them more time off, rather than once a year.         During the closing part of the nineteenth century, industries began to flourish across the United States. Local businesses and merchants gave way to larger

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